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Forum Discussion
RN 104 freezing/not responding/locking up with FW 6.4.0
RN 104 keeps freezing and becomes unresponsive (even the lcd screen freezes). I have to disconnect the power supply everytime. It tries to resync the data, but it freezes at random points. 3x 1 TB ...
Hi,
1 disk so far, only Seagate 3Tb, indeed has some problems. That was indicated after only a short test. The 2nd disk, a WD 2Tb, test is still running.
I've bought a WD Red 4Tb, currently transferrring from the dodgey one (seems OK ATM, hope it holds out) to the new one. I did a "select and drag" on folder via the RN web interface and it decided I wanted to move between drives, rather than just copy. It's taking a long time. Not the fastest transfer I've ever seen. I would have thought an internal file transfer would be quick given it's sata, not usb1.
I did a search about replacing one drive in a RN, but mostly they mention raid. The faulty drive is #1 slot and contains the "home" directories. I don't know what will happen once I remove it, and swap #2 (new drive) into #1, and then return the original #2. Will the "home" directories be created automatically on the new #1? I've copied the folders & files from the "home" directories across to a PC.
Thanks,
dRdoS7
Start by backing up the configuration file.
Also, app data is probably stored on drive 1's volume (access \\nasip\volumename with the admin credentials if you want to confirm. There should be a hidden .apps folder).
Assuming that is so, the app data will also be lost. The safest thing to do is unstall the apps.
Then back up all data (including \home)
explicitly delete the volume
remove the bad disk.
hot-insert the new disk, create the new volume (maybe with the same name).
reinstall apps
restore the data.
FWIW, if something goes wrong, and you need to do a factory reset, it would be difficult to remount your other volumes (perhaps Netgear could, but the system won't do that automatically). So it'd be a good idea to have a backup of your second volume.
Hi,
I'll remember all that if I have to do it again, which hopefully I won't for a few years.
I have backed up the config, several times, I can restore that if needed.
As I posted, I've put the new drive in, and I'm already transferring data from old to new.
I don't use any apps. The NAS is purely storage (& 2nd backup) for photos, music, movies & other data.
Strangely, since I've put the new drive in, and the old drive is still in too, it's been going for 14 hours without freezing. The old drive is the one with errors, although I have yet to run a full test.
The #2 drive which I was testing in my PC had no errors. I've since read I could have run a disk scan in the NAS.
Thanks,
dRdoS7.
Hi,
An update.
After I copied all the files off the old to the new, I S/D the NAS, removed the old #1, swapped new drive > #1 slot, returned #2 drive and powered up.
Mmm... not so good. It all booted OK, I can see all the files via Netgear web interface, I just can't access via Win Explorer! It won't accept the old user name & PW. Also, a short while after, the NAS froze again! This was ths supposed "good" drive #2.
I've also done a full test of the "bad" drive #1, and guess what: it passed all tests! Plus it never froze whil copying all files.
Anyway, bit the bullet, removed #2, Factory Reset, set it all back up with the new #1, working OK.
Installed #2, had to reboot to get it seen by the NAS, mounted just fine. Files all accessible.
Copying all files to #1, again!
I'm also copying all files from #2 to #1, as there's enough room. In all that time, it hasn't frozen. It does take a loooooong time.
I'll first run for a week with a single (new) disk. See if it locks up again. If that's OK, I'll try each of the other disks in turn in #2 slot, see what happens. If it doesn't lock up, I'll run with both original disks. If it still doesn't lock up, the Factory Reset fixed it! Then it wasn't the disks after all. At least I have 2Tb more storage, which the Finance Minister would never have agreed too!.
Maybe it was the way I tested the first disk (I used an eSata powered cable - poor/loose connection??) caused initial test errors. I later did test the 2nd disk the same way, and a re-test of the 1st. But who knows.
My advice to anyone installing/replacing a #1 drive, when it's single JBOD per disk, not RAID:
1. Power off, remove all disks.
2. Insert new disk in #1, power up.
3. Set up as per new NAS.
4. Insert old #1 into #2, reboot if needed, copy files old #1 > new #1 (assuming old disk is OK).
5. Remove old #1 from #2 slot, insert #2 disk.
6. Reboot.
The thought of copying all files off old #1 to another drive, then copying them all back to the new #1, fills me with dread: It's double the work/time. Plus you need to have the empty disk space lying around unused.
Of course, in theory, as this is a backup, the files are available elsewhere, so only one copy operation should required.
It's a shame the old disks can't be used, as they are ex NAS, via the USB or SATA ports, it would speed thing up.
Replacing a #2 (single disk JBOD)? I haven't, yet. I'm sure that will be more fun.
dRdoS7.
Hi,
An update:
After running fine for 2 days, I enabled Disk Spin-down (10 min).
Not long after, the NAS froze!
I was still running with 1 new drive & 1 old drive. Seemed silly to remove the old one since it had been fine for 48 hrs. It had a good workout copying files from old to new.
I've removed the old drive now, left DS-D enabled, see what happens next few hours/days.
dRdoS7
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